Michael O’Neill has urged Blackburn Rovers fans to target their focus on survival, starting with Friday night’s Lancashire derby against Preston North End.
O’Neill will be in the Ewood Park dugout for the first time in what should be a good atmosphere under the lights. Preston have sold more than 5,000 away tickets in the Darwen End.
Supporters have boycotted previous matches in protest against the ownership and decision-makers at the club.
O’Neill refused to be drawn into the politics of that but did have a message for those considering whether they should attend on Friday.
“Well, look, we want as many people here as possible,” he insisted.
“You know, I can’t really comment on the rationale or the reasons behind that (boycotts). I’m not here long enough to understand fully what that is, but I know one thing: a team that’s well-supported at home generally does well.
“The more we can get here, the more passionate the support is behind the team can only help the team.
“I have obviously looked at that (home form) and I was at the game here against Sheffield Wednesday as well recently.
“We have to focus on the performance on the pitch. It’s difficult to control for the players and what’s going on around outside it.
“I think fans will always back their team if they see them give everything and that’s what the message to the players will be. Give us what you gave and more in terms of the game on Saturday and I’ve no doubt the crowd will get behind us.”
Rovers are looking to complete a league double for the first time since 2021/22, having beaten PNE 2-1 at Deepdale. Despite that, the visitors come into the game on the coattails of the top six.
“They’ve had a great season,” O’Neill admitted.
“To be in touch and distance of the play-offs at this point in time is a real good place to be. It shows you the nature of this league, really, there’s so little in it.
“I watched their game last week against Portsmouth and it was a very, very tight game. They won the game 1-0.
“They’d been on a little bit of a bad run, I think, three defeats leading into that. So that was an important game for them to win and they got over the line and won the game and then the picture looks a little bit rosy again for them.
“I think there’s very little between so many teams in this league and probably this season, Rovers have come out on a lot of tight, tight score lines on the wrong end of them. So, hopefully, in the remaining games, we turn those scorelines in our favour.”
O’Neill is someone excited by raucous atmospheres and derby matches. He believes the Ewood support can play a big role in helping his team compete.
“Derby games are great. We’ve played in many of them.
“The various clubs I’ve played in and, obviously, in terms of management, I’ve dealt with that situation as well.
“What we want is a real positive atmosphere here in the stadium. You know, a good crowd.
“I believe Preston will bring a big away support and hopefully the players can deliver again on the pitch like they did on Saturday and certainly the crowd will play a massive role in that.”
